LAS VEGAS – Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with US Olympic men’s basketball team Tuesday during a break in practice at UNLV’s Mendenhall Arena. Taking the field at 4:23 PM ET, he was led by head coach Steve Kerr to a star-studded group of players.
Harris shook hands with Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry before speaking to the team.
“Our nation welcomes you. We are proud of you,” he said. “Go to Paris and bring back the gold.”
He then shook hands with Devin Booker, LeBron James and Anthony Edwards before taking pictures with the entire roster.
A USA team loaded with future Basketball Hall of Famers including Curry, James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard plays Canada in an exhibition Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. They begin the fight for the Olympic gold medal against Serbia on July 28.
“It was very nice. We got his support,” Durant said after practice. “He used to work here and his life is so busy that it’s an honor to have him come here and check us out. I’m glad he was able to pass.”
When asked what exactly Harris told the team, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo said he kept it short.
“‘Win gold.’ Short and sweet and to the point,” he said. “It’s disgusting that he’s here and can talk to us. I will be able to tell my child’s children about this.”
Harris stopped by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas before the official opening.AANHPI voters for Biden-Harris,” the campaign’s latest coalition group for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voters. He performed in front of more than 200 people at the event held on the Las Vegas strip.
Harris made a close call November elections against the former president Donald Trump the most “resulting, important election” of our lives.
“Now, we always knew this election was going to be difficult,” he said. “The last few days have been a reminder that running for president of the United States is never easy, but one thing we know about our president, Joe Biden, is that he is a fighter. He is the first to say that he will get up again when he falls.”
Tuesday wasn’t Harris’ first foray into the world of basketball. The former senator from California has hosted his hometown Warriors at the White House and has been to a Golden State game several times in recent years.
Kerr, who coaches the Warriors, said he’s “met with him many times, considering he’s from Oakland.”
“It’s a great reminder that we play for our country,” Kerr said. “He’s a Warriors fan. He loves our team and loves basketball.”
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff is “unfortunately a Lakers fan,” Kerr said.
Nnamdi Egwuonwu contributed.